“We need to talk,” he said, setting the cup down.

“I know,” I said.

“Ruth told me the rest on the phone,” he said.

“She told me how they forced you to sign.”

“But she didn’t know how you ended up back at the estate.”

“She didn’t know why you applied for the housekeeping job.”

I looked down at the pale blue hospital gown.

My heart began to race, the monitor on the wall beeping faster.

I knew I had to tell him, even if it meant he would hate me.

“I took the job under a false name,” I said.

“My real name isn’t Claire Bennett.”

Daniel stared at me, his face unreadable in the dim light.

“I just wanted to see them,” I whispered.

“I wanted to see my babies.”

“I was so afraid of you, Daniel.”

“I thought if you found out who I really was, you would banish me again.”

“I thought you would use your lawyers to keep me away from them forever.”

The tears finally came, hot and silent, spilling down my cheeks.

Daniel didn’t move to comfort me, but his expression softened.